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PSYCH 101 > TOPIC 5 > Flashcards

TOPIC 5 Flashcards

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1
Q

What is stress?

A

Stress is the tension, discomfort, or physical symptoms that arise when a situation, called a stressor, strains our ability to cope effectively.

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2
Q

Is stress the same as trauma?

A

No, stress is not the same as trauma.

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3
Q

When are situations stressful?

A

Situations are stressful when we lack the resources to cope.

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4
Q

How common is stress?

A

Stress is very common and natural. Most individuals experience stress, including serious stressors, at some point in their lives.

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5
Q

What are stressors as stimuli?

A

This perspective focuses on stimuli that cause stress and negative experiences. Researchers investigate different “types” or categories of stressors. The problem with this perspective is that not all people respond to stressors in the same way.

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6
Q

What is stress as a transaction?

A

This perspective views stress as subjective and emphasizes the interaction between the individual and the environment. It involves primary appraisal (initial decision regarding whether an event is harmful) and secondary appraisal (perceptions regarding ability to cope with an event). This perspective also considers problem-focused coping versus emotion-focused coping.

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7
Q

What is primary appraisal?

A

The initial decision regarding whether an event is harmful

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8
Q

What is secondary appraisal?

A

The perceptions regarding ability to cope with an event

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9
Q

What is stress as a response?

A

This perspective examines the physiological and psychological responses to stressful events or experiences.

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10
Q

What are self-report measures?

A

These include the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) and the Hassles Scale.

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11
Q

What is SRRS?

A

Social Readjustment Rating Scale is when participants rate the anticipated difficulty (readjustment) of 43 life events. The focus is on significant events.

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12
Q

What is the Hassles scale?

A

A hassle is a minor annoyance or nuisance that strains our ability to cope. Potential hassles become hassles when we appraise them as such.

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13
Q

What are Physiological Measures?

A

These include measures of heart rate, blood pressure, EEG (brain activity), and hormonal testing (cortisol and adrenaline).

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14
Q

What is GAS?

A

The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is a stress response pattern that consists of three stages: alarm reaction, resistance, and exhaustion. It was proposed by Hans Selye.

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15
Q

What are alarm reactions?

A

This involves the fight-or-flight response, a physical and psychological reaction that mobilizes people and animals to either defend themselves or escape a frightening situation.

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16
Q

What is resistance?

A

In this stage, we adapt to the stressor, and physiological responses are lessened (but continue to be higher than baseline).

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17
Q

What is exhaustion?

A

In this stage, we are no longer able to adapt to the stressor, and the body becomes depleted. This can lead to illness, disease, damage to the body, and even death. There are also negative psychological effects such as fatigue, depression, and anxiety.

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17
Q

Can stress be good?

A

Yes, stress can be good. There is “Eustress” (good stress) and “Distress” (bad stress). Stress can be motivating.

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18
Q

What is “good” stress called?

A

Eustress

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19
Q

What is “bad” stress?

A

Distress

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20
Q

What are some examples of good stress?

A

Stress related to an upcoming exam, pre-game stress for athletes, and lab research on memory (mild stressors).

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21
Q

What is the sympathetic nervous system?

A

This system is responsible for fight-or-flight functions. Adrenaline is released. The parasympathetic nervous system activates to reduce the stress response (balances sympathetic responses).

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22
Q

What are individual differences?

A

People vary in their stress responses due to differences in perception/interpretation, coping strategy, and type and degree of stress (acute or chronic).

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22
Q

What is the HPA Axis?

A

This involves the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands. A chain reaction of hormonal response leads to the release of cortisol. The HPA axis functions to keep us alert and motivated to deal with or avoid danger. Chronic levels of hormones have negative effects on the body.

23
Q

What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

A

This is a mental health condition caused by a highly stressful or frightening event. Symptoms include vivid memories, images, and emotions pertaining to the traumatic experience, commonly called “flashbacks.”

24
Q

What are gender differences with stress responses?

A

Men exhibit more “fight or flight,” while women “tend and befriend” more than men. However, fight or flight is not absent in women (e.g., physical threats).

24
Q

Why is social support an important factor of coping with stress?

A

This refers to relationships with people and groups that can provide us with emotional comfort and personal and financial resources. Social support may “buffer” against the negative effects of stress.

25
Q

Why are coping strategies important factor of coping with stress?

A

There are two main types of coping strategies:
Problem-focused coping: This involves actively addressing the stressor by trying to solve the issue at hand.
Emotion-focused coping: This involves regulating our emotions that come with stress, rather than trying to change the stressor. This may involve “avoidance-coping.”

26
Q

Why is coping important factor of coping with stress?

A

This refers to the belief that a situation or stressor can be controlled.

27
Q

What is behavioural control?

A

This involves controlling our behaviours (e.g., coping strategies).

28
Q

What is cognitive control?

A

This involves controlling our thoughts; “cognitive restructuring.”

29
Q

What is informational control?

A

This involves seeking out information to manage a stressful event. This can lead to proactive coping.

30
Q

What is decisional control?

A

This involves being able to choose among alternative courses of action.

31
Q

What is emotional control?

A

This involves being able to choose to suppress and express emotions (and the manner of doing so). This includes catharsis (expressing anger or other intense negative emotions), but expressing anger tends to increase anger. Merely talking about problems may not be helpful; constructive action is needed.

32
Q

What are individual differences?

A

People vary in how they are able to cope with stress.

33
Q

What is hardiness associated with individual differences?

A

This is a set of attitudes marked by a sense of control over events, commitment to life and work, and courage and motivation to confront stressful circumstances.

34
Q

What is optimism associated with individual differences??

A

This is a tendency to view life’s events more positively.

35
Q

Why is hostility and competitiveness associated with individual differences?

A

They are associated with worse health outcomes.

36
Q

Why is spirituality and religious involvement associated with individual differences?

A

They can be helpful in coping.

37
Q

Why is rumination associated with individual differences?

A

This refers to excessive, repetitive thoughts that interfere with other forms of mental activity.

38
Q

What is health psychology?

A

Health psychology examines the relationship between psychology and physical health. It is interdisciplinary and utilizes the biopsychosocial model.

39
Q

What is biopsychosocial model?

A

This model proposes that illnesses or medical conditions are often the result of the interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors. It includes psychosomatic disorders.

40
Q

What is skin health in health psychology?

A

The skin can be impacted by stress and psychological factors. There is evidence for suggestibility in contracting a rash, which is related to the nocebo effect. Many skin issues are impacted by various biological, psychological, and social factors.

41
Q

Why is the immune system associated with health psychology

A

This is our body’s defense against bacteria, viruses, and other potentially illness-producing organisms and substances. The immune system includes organs, barriers, proteins, and chemicals that protect us from pathogens.

42
Q

Why is psychoneuroimmunology associated with health psychology?

A

This is the study of the relationship between the immune system and the central nervous system.

43
Q

Why are stress and colds associated with health psychology?

A

More stress is associated with more colds. Persistent stressors are particularly important, and inflammation may be a causal mechanism. Other research suggests indirect effects of stress on colds, such as through its impact on nutrition, sleep, and other lifestyle factors.

44
Q

Why is cardiovascular disease associated with health psychology?

A

This is the #2 killer in Canada. Research is correlational but implies a link between stress and cardiovascular disease. Hormones and inflammation are implicated as mechanisms. Personality factors, such as the “Type A” personality (characterized by anger/hostility), are also associated with cardiovascular disease.

45
Q

Why are stress and immune function associated with health psychology

A

Stress depresses the immune system. Cortisol limits inflammation at first but can lead to more inflammation over time (persistent exposure). Positive emotions and social support support immune function.

46
Q

How do health psychologists promote good health?

A

Health psychologists seek to promote good health through stress reduction, informational health interventions, and psychological and behavioural interventions.

47
Q

Why is stress reduction important in promoting good health?

A

This can involve eliminating or reducing stressors, reframing thinking, spending time in nature, and getting enough sleep.

48
Q

Why are informational health interventions important in promoting good health

A

This involves providing people with information about health risks and healthy behaviours.

49
Q

Why are psychological and behavioural interventions important in promoting good health

A

This can involve helping people to break unhealthy habits or form healthy behavioral patterns.

Hedonic outlets can reduce stress in the short term but may create long-term problems.

Examples of healthy behavior change include quitting smoking, reducing or abstaining from alcohol, overeating less, exercising more, eating healthy, and practicing relaxation techniques.

50
Q

Why is stopping smoking important in promoting good health

A

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death. Many people want to quit. Toxin exposure, inflammation, and other effects of smoking are harmful.

51
Q

Why is reducing or abstaining from alcohol important in promoting good health

A

A large majority of Canadians report drinking some alcohol. Impaired driving is a major problem. Heavy episodic drinking (5+ drinks on one occasion for males and 4+ for women) is associated with an increased risk of cancer, liver problems, cardiovascular problems, and more.

52
Q

Why is diet and healthy Weight important in promoting good health

A

A significant percentage of Canadians are obese or overweight, based on Body Mass Index (BMI), which is calculated as (weight/height in inches2) x 703.

53
Q

Why is exercise important in promoting good health

A

Different types of exercise are important for health, including strength training/physical load, cardiovascular exercise, and flexibility.

54
Q

Why is behavioural change hard?

A
  • Habits: These are established behavioural patterns that are often triggered by non-conscious cues and are not based on reasoning.
  • Personal inertia: Self-harming habits are often pleasurable and may relieve stress in the short term. Many do not produce immediate harm.
  • Misestimation of risk: Humans are biased by experience and are not intuitive statisticians.
  • Frustration and feelings of powerlessness can make it difficult to change.
  • Prevention and intervention programs often demonstrate proof of concept but sometimes have little practical benefit.
55
Q

Why is changing behaviour important?

A
  • Implementation intentions: This involves making a clear plan of what we will do in specific circumstances.
  • Making change a gradual process, especially for complex behaviours (e.g., diet).
  • Major changes in life circumstances, such as a heart attack, family death, or big move, can sometimes motivate behaviour change

PSYCH 101 (3 decks)

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